USB C v/s Micro USB v/s Lightning cable: Ultimate guide

Going back into the era of Pentium 2 or Pentium 3, we may remember the constant trouble one had to go through into connecting various devices. Each device required a different type of port and connecting them was a tedious task. This connection problem was overcome by one of the most versatile invention-the USB. With time, the USB has evolved and so has its competition. Its biggest rival being Apple’s Lightning cable. So let’s talk about the three most confused yet widely used devices: USB v/s Micro USB v/s lightning.

USB C

One of the most popular connectors in the market, USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. A USB is a kind of connector or cable used to join various and different type of devices to the computer. USB C is the current market trend for transfer of data and power. It is slightly more oval shaped and thicker as compared to Micro USB. Most of the laptop companies like Dell, Acer, HP and even desktops are using USB C ports.

KEY FEATURES

It has no up or down orientation.

The new USB 3.1 Type C has 24 pins and can transmit data at almost 10Gb/s.

The market is filled with competition making a decrease in its price as the demand rises.

MICRO USB

The Micro USB are like mini-versions of USB. It was frustrating trying to find a different charger for different phones. This problem was overcome by the Micro USB. It was basically developed to standardise the phone charging devices.

KEY FEATURES

Although smaller than a Mini USB, it comparatively has a higher data transfer rate.

Have a life cycle of almost 10000 connects and disconnects.

These ports not only help charge the phone but also help receive and transmit data through a 5-pin configuration.

LIGHTNING

USB’s arch-rival, and a by-product of Apple-Lightning was launched in 2012. It had been a huge change from 30 pin dock connector to the 8-pin Lightning. Today, almost every Apple product is supported by the Lightning. However a Lightning port cannot access a regular USB port. However Apple does provide a cable for the same issue.

KEY FEATURES

It is very efficient.

Since, Apple has removed headphone jack in its phones, most probably there would be increase in headphones with Lightning support.

It is highly flexible, in the sense that it ca do whatever whenever it wants.

CONCLUSION

USB’s are not just cheaper but also more resistant to wear and tear. Lightning definitely suffers in the design area. The pins of the USB are built into our phone while that of Lightning Cables are tabs with exposed pins. Hence, there is more probability of USB getting damaged.

It has been a few years since the launch of these tech, however, we are yet to achieve the one cable for all device formula. With wireless charging now in the scene too, maybe in a few years cables may become fables of past as well.

So did this solve your cable problems? Comment down below to let us know!